Who are we

Benefits of Zen

Zen Class Handouts

Activities

FAQ

News

Resources

Zenlog

Contacts

Zen Buddhism has its historical beginning at a huge Buddhist assembly in Spirit Mountain two thousand five hundred years ago. Shakyamuni Buddha, who was supposed to preach to the assembly, instead, silently held up a golden lotus grown by Dafanwang and showed to the assembled monks. As everyone else being in a state of confusion, only Maha Kasyapa broke up with a smile in understanding. Shakyamuni then announced, "What I have here, that is the true teaching and real treasure, that is the ineffable mind of nirvana, that the real form is formless, and that the subtle Buddha Dharma should transmit without written language and outside of doctrine, I entrust to Maha Kasyapa." This marked the beginning of Zen Buddhism, and the Reverend Kasyapa came to be the First Patriarch.

This lineage went on for many generations in India, until the twenty eighth Patriarch Bodhidharma, instructed by his master, came to China by sea after his master died, and for 60 years cultivated the seeds of Zen on the land of China. Bodhidharma later became the first Patriarch of Chinese Ch'an, as it is called in China. To this date, the Ch'an tradition remained strong. The 84^th Patriarch Master Jing Zai came to Taiwan during the war in 1949. The lineage was then passed on to the 85^th Patriarch, (Chinese 58^th Patriarch), our current Master Wu Jue Miao Tian.

Over two decades Master Wu Jue Miao Tian was dedicated to making known the true teachings of Zen and established many meditation centers. By 1999 Taiwan Zen Buddhist Association was set up and in the following year, American Zen Association, a branch located in Los Angeles, was formed by a group of volunteers who have been greatly benefited by his teachings and the practice of Zen meditation.

The Zen Buddhist Association at University of Southern California is a chapter of American Zen Association. Our goal is to help USC community in better dealing with academic pressure and modern-life stress through the practice of Zen meditation. The peacefulness and happiness experienced after Zen meditation generally bring you the benefits of better health, stronger immune system, and sharper mind. Some people may experience deeper, indescribable change in life style that is also very personal. Come to join us, regardless of your spiritual background, and let us share with you the methodology that has transformed so many of us already.

Master Wu Jue Miao Tian